Preparing Students for the 21st Century

Creating Information Literate,

Life-Long Learners

Presented by Miss Melissa Smitley McKean Elementary Librarian & Information Specialist

Presentation Goals:

Discuss 21st century learner. Define information literacy. Review the social and academic

implications of information literacy.

Explain the roles of the 21st century teacher, librarian, and library program. Share research findings.

(Moreillon and Fontichiaro)

21st Century Learner

Entering a world full of unknown opportunities, challenges, and potential pitfalls.

Did You Know 3.0 (Fisch and McLeod)

Must develop and rely on problem-solving skills when faced with an unfamiliar situation or challenge.

Must be good communicators who can adapt and collaborate.

Must be information, media, and technology savvy.

(Moreillon and Fontichiaro)

Desired Dispositions of a 21st Century Learner

Self-Starter Investigator Confident Self-Directed Creative Skeptical Adaptable Emotionally Resilient

Persistent Flexible Productive Leader Team Player Curious Motivated

(Preparing 21st Century Ohio Learners for Success)

Information Literacy

Teaches a skill set that enables an individual to be a competent information user.

Introduces a critical thinking component to extend beyond being proficient in using computer technology.

Address competencies needed to find, use, and evaluate information.

Requires the information user to seek out knowledge from multiple sources rather than passively receiving and repeating facts.

(Preparing 21st Century Ohio Learners for Success)

Information Literate Student Can:

Define an Information Need Develop an Effective Search Strategy

Select search terms, utilize Boolean operators, and choose reliable sources of information.

Evaluate Search Results Critically Identify bias, establish author reliability, and select

authoritative resources. Use Information Effectively and Ethically

Organize and communicate information, perspectives, and opinions without plagiarizing.

The Implications of Information Literacy

Preparing Students to Succeed Beyond GM

("Top 10 Things First-Year Students Should Know")

Information Literacy in College

Students will be expected to understand that: Research is a process that takes time.

Taking small steps and finding dead ends. Looking in multiple places for answers, taking careful

notes, and asking thoughtful questions. Everything is NOT on Google.

Using library databases and resources to find information that is not freely available on the Internet.

Evaluating potential resources on the Internet to find relevant, accurate, current, and unbiased information.

("Top 10 Things First-Year Students Should Know")

Information Literacy in College

Students will be expected to understand that: Scholarly literature is required when researching.

Peer-reviewed journals will be required – not Time or Newsweek.

Charts and graphs may be included, but not colorful graphics or ads.

Information used from research needs to be cited. Citation styles vary depending on the discipline. References in provide leads for further research and

give credit to the intellectual works of others.

(Mitchell)

Plagiarism

Student plagiarism and lack of academic integrity are increasing.

Students tend to plagiarize because they: are interested in the most direct route to finishing a

project or assignment. misjudge the time required for academic research. lack confidence in their own writing abilities. don’t understand the process of citing resources or

the consequences of plagiarizing.

(Johnson)

Information Literacy in Society

The availability of misinformation and biased opinions on the Internet may have serious repercussions for students if they don’t know how to evaluate the authority of the information.

Students will use the Internet to find answers for school assignments that relate to genuine life issues and for advice to personal problems.

An emphasis needs to be placed on showing students how to use the Internet to make good consumer choices, health decisions, and informed judgments.

The Role of Educators in Teaching Information

Literacy Skills

Defining the Roles of 21st Century Educators

(Churches)

Roles of the 21st Century Teacher

Fluent in tools and technologies that enable communication and collaboration. Able to facilitate, stimulate, control, and manage learning.

Communicator

Establishing clear goals and objectives, maintaining a steady vision of what the 21st Century Learner requires, and creating action plans for success.

Leader

Modeling the behaviors expected of students, demonstrating tolerance, acceptance, global awareness, and reflection.

Model

Learning and adapting as the educational horizons and landscapes change.Learner

Facilitate learning and encourage students to take an active role in the learning process through discussion groups,

Risk Taker

Sharing and contributing to new tools that enhance and captivate learners.Collaborator

Envisioning how emerging tools and technologies can be utilized in the classroom in imaginative ways.

Visionary

Adapting the curriculum to teach in imaginative ways and responding to dynamic teaching experiences.

Adaptor

("School Libraries Work!")

Role of the Librarian as an Information Specialist

Teach students the skills and strategies necessary to learn and achieve.

Partner with teachers in educating students, developing curriculum, and integrating resources into teaching and learning.

Teach students the skills needed to become effective users of ideas and information

Seek, select, evaluate, and utilize electronic resources and tools and instruct teachers and students in how to use them.

("School Libraries Work!")

Role of the School Library Program

To inform, educate, entertain, and enrich students at all levels.

To provide opportunities for students to explore information that is personally meaningful and relevant. Information literacy skills are learned faster. Students learn how to learn.

To support the educational community in achieving the mission of the school.

What the Research Says…

School library programs positively influence student learning and achievement when:

Students are required to use a variety of resources, conduct

throughout research, and present their

findings.

The LMS and classroom teachers collaborate to teach

and integrate information literacy

skills into the curriculum.

School libraries are adequately staffed with

a qualified LMS.

Conclusions

Our students are part of a rapidly changing and evolving world that will require specific skills.

They will need proficient problem-solving skills when facing unfamiliar challenges and situations.

They will need to know how to find, evaluate, and use information efficiently and effectively.

These information literacy skills have implications for our students in both college and society.

School librarians are in a unique position to collaborate with classroom teachers to incorporate these vital information literacy skills with existing curricular units.

Final Remarks

Our last opportunities to instill these information literacy skills in our

students occur in high school.

Without a high school librarian, our students are missing out on the critical

component of establishing these essential skills that will be needed for

the rest of our lives.

I am asking that you consider reinstating the high school librarian position for

our 21st Century Learners.

Thank You("School Libraries Work!")

Works CitedChurches, Andrew. “21st Century Educators.” 21st Century Connection. 2007. 9 Mar. 2009.

<http://21centuryconnections.com/node/532>.

Fisch, Karl and Scott McLeod. Did You Know 3.0. 7 Nov. 2008. YouTube. 14 Mar. 2009. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpEnFwiqdx8>.

Johnson, Doug. “Teacher-Librarians Teaching Technology Ethics: Yes, It’s Our Job!” Texas Library Journal. 83.1 (2007): 8-10. Library Literature. Wilson Web. Mansfield U of PA, North Hall Library. 9 Mar.2009 <http://www.wilsonweb.com>.

Mitchell, Sara. “Penguins and Plagiarism: Stemming the Tide of Plagiarism in Elementary School.” Library Media Connection. Apr./May 2007: 47. Library Literature. Wilson Web. Mansfield U of PA, North Hall Library. 9 Mar. 2009 <http://www.wilsonweb.com>.

Moreillon, Judi and Kristin Fontichiaro. “Teaching and Assessing the Dispositions: A Garden of Opportunity.” Knowledge Quest. 37.2 (2008): 64-67. Library Literature. Wilson Web. Mansfield U of PA, North Hall Library. 9 Mar. 2009 <http://www.wilsonweb.com>.

“Preparing 21st Century Ohio Learners for Success: The Role of Information Literacy and Libraries.” Ohio Media Spectrum. 60.1 (2008): 38-44. Library Literature. Wilson Web. Mansfield U of PA, North Hall Library. 9 Mar. 2009 <http://www.wilsonweb.com>.

“School Libraries Work!” 3rd ed. 2008. Scholastic. 15 Mar. 2009. <www2.scholastic.com/content/collateral_resources/pdf/s/slw3_2008.pdf >.

“Top 10 Things First-Year Students Should Know About Using College Libraries to do Research.” Transitioning to College. 2009. Kent State U. 9 Mar. 2009 <http://www.transitioning2college.org>.